Dispenser for rolled strip material

ABSTRACT

A rolled material dispenser is provided that includes a housing, a ring, and a spool. The housing has an internal cavity and a window providing access to the internal cavity. The ring has a diameter and a window. The windows of the ring and the housing are selectively alignable with one another. The spool has an axis of rotation, and sized to be rotatably mounted, radially inside of the ring. Rolled strip material (e.g., bandages, tape, etc.) mounted on the spool is dispensable through the ring and housing windows.

Applicant hereby claims priority benefits under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/535,283 filed Jan. 9, 2004, the disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field

This invention applies to rolled materials such as bandages and tapes in general, and to dispensing systems for the same in particular.

2. Background Information

Adhesive bandages, tapes, and other rolled medical supplies come in a variety of forms. Bandages supplied in strip form are often disposed within a package and are provided with overlays covering the adhesive portions as well as the pad portion. The disadvantage of this form of packaging is that it requires the user to remove the outer package and the overlays before the bandage can be used. The removed material can be difficult to remove and once removed, must be disposed of. The removal process can also be an undesirable time consuming process.

Bandages are also sometimes supplied in roll form. The individual bandages on the roll are attached to one another, but are typically selectively separable from one another along a line of perforations disposed there between. U.S. Pat. No. 5,782,786 discloses a spool for use with rolled bandages.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

According to the present invention, a rolled material dispenser is provided that includes a housing, a ring, and a spool. The housing has an internal cavity and a window providing access to the internal cavity. The ring has a diameter and a window. The windows of the ring and the housing are selectively alignable with one another. The spool has an axis of rotation, and sized to be rotatably mounted, radially inside of the ring. Rolled strip material (e.g., bandages, tape, etc.) mounted on the spool is dispensable through the ring and housing windows.

In one embodiment of the present invention, a shutter door is provided that enables the access to the internal cavity of the housing to be closed.

An advantage of the present invention is that the material wound on the spool can be closed off from the external environment and thereby minimize the chance for contaminating the rolled material. Another advantage is that the end of the material can be maintained within the window to facilitate dispensing the material.

These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent in light of the detailed description of the best mode embodiment thereof, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1 and 2 are perspective views of the present invention dispenser.

FIG. 3 is a partially sectioned perspective view of the dispenser.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the present invention dispenser, showing rolled material extending out of the dispenser.

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the components of a dispenser embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a base portion of the housing of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a cover portion of the housing of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a ring.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a spool.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a prior art spool embodiment.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Referring to FIGS. 1-4, a rolled material dispenser 10 is provided that includes a housing 12, a ring 14, and a spool 16. The housing 12 has a first end panel 18, a second end panel 20, and at least one side panel 22 extending between the end panels 18, 20. A window 24 is disposed in the side panel. An internal cavity 26 is disposed between the end panels 18, 20 and the at least one side panel 22. The window 24 provides access to the internal cavity 26.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 3-7, the housing 12 is a two-piece assembly that includes a base 28 and a cover 30. The base 28, shown sectioned in FIG. 3 and separately in FIG. 6, includes the first end panel 18, a first side panel portion 22A, a plurality of guides 32, a first half 34A of a connector couple 34 for connecting the base 28 to the cover 30, and a first half 36A of a seal couple 36 for forming a seal between the base 28 and the cover 30. The first end panel 18 is circular in shape and includes an inner surface 38 and an outer surface 40. The plurality of guides 32 are attached to and extend out from the inner surface 38 of the first end panel 18.

The first side panel portion 22A extends outwardly from the inner surface side 38 of the first end panel 18, around the perimeter of the first end panel 18. The first side panel portion 22A includes a first portion 42A of a shutter door shelf 42, and a first portion 24A of the housing window 24. A rim 44 is formed around the edge of the first side panel portion 22A opposite the edge attached to the first end panel 18. The first half 36A of the seal couple 36 for sealing between the base 28 and the cover 30 is attached to the rim 44. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 and 6, the first half 36A of the seal couple 36 is a male lip 27. The first half 34A of a connector couple 34 for connecting the base 28 to the cover 30 is attached to the first side panel portion 22A. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the first half 34A of a connector couple 34 is a pair of cantilevered members 35, each having an outwardly extending male tab 37.

The cover 30, shown sectioned in FIG. 3 and separately in FIG. 7, includes the second end panel 20, a second side panel portion 22B, a plurality of guides (not shown, but similar to those shown in FIG. 6 within the base 28), a second half 34B of the connector couple 34 for connecting the base 28 to the cover 30, and a second half 36B of a seal couple 36 for forming a seal between the base 28 and the cover 30. Like the first end panel 18, the second end panel 20 is circular in shape and includes an inner surface 46 and an outer surface 48. The plurality of guides is attached to and extends out from the inner surface 46 of the second end panel 20.

The second side panel portion 22B extends outwardly from the inner surface 46 side of the second end panel 20, around the perimeter of the second end panel 20. The second side panel portion 22B includes a second portion 42B of a shutter door shelf 42, and a second portion 24B of the housing window 24. A rim 50 is formed around the edge of the second side panel portion 22B opposite the edge attached to the second end panel 20. The second half 36B of the seal couple 36 for sealing between the base 28 and the cover 30 is attached to the rim 50. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the second half 36B of the seal couple 36 is a female channel 29 shaped to receive the lip 27 extending out from the rim of the base 28. The lip 27 and channel 29 embodiment of the seal 36 is an example of a seal configuration, and the seal 36 is not therefore limited to such a configuration. The second half 34B of the connector couple 34 for connecting the base 28 to the cover 30 is attached to the second side panel portion 22B. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 7, the second half 34B of a connector couple 34 is a pair of apertures 39, each positioned and shaped to receive the male tab 37 extending out from one of the cantilevered members 35. Other connector configurations may be used alternatively.

When the base 28 and the cover 30 are attached to one another, several elements are combined. First, side panel portions 22A, 22B combine to make a single side panel 22 extending between the end panels 18, 20. Second, the shutter door shelf portions 42A, 42B combine to make a shutter door shelf 42 offset from the outer surface 52 of the side panel 22. Third, the housing window portions 24A, 24B combine to make a single window 24 disposed in the side panel 22 of the housing 12. Fourth, the connector couple halves 34A, 34B cooperate to maintain the base 28 and cover 30 together. Fifth, the seal couple halves 36A, 36B combine at the rims 44, 50 to create a seal between the base 28 and the cover 30.

The housing 12 of the present invention dispenser 10 is not limited to the above-described base 28 and cover 30 configuration. For example, the entire side panel portion 22 may be fixedly attached to one of the end portions 18, 20. In addition, as stated above an alternative connector couple 34 and/or an alternative seal arrangement 36 may be used. In fact, in some embodiments the seal arrangement 36 may be omitted entirely.

In some embodiments (see FIG. 2), one or both of the cover 30 and the base 28 includes an attachment mechanism 54 for attaching the dispenser 10 to a belt, article of clothing, lanyard, etc.

The ring 14 has an inner diameter 56, an inner radial surface 58, an outer radial surface 60, a plurality of ribs 62, a window 64, and a shutter door 66. The plurality of ribs 62 are attached to the inner radial surface 58. The ribs 62 are operable to position the spool 16 as will be described below. The ring window 64 extends between the inner and outer radial surfaces 58, 60, and has a width 68 that extends between axial edges 70. In embodiments where the axial edges 70 of the ring window 64 are straight, the width 68 of the ring window 64 is preferably less than the narrowest width of the rolled material 69. In other embodiments (e.g., FIG. 8), the axial edges 70 of the ring window 64 are undulated, each including a plurality of corrugations 72, for example. The corrugations 72 may assume a variety of different shapes, including but not limited to the rounded peaks 74 and valleys 76 shown in FIG. 8. In these undulated edge embodiments, it is also preferred that the ring window 64 have a width 68 that is narrower at every point than the narrowest width of the rolled material 69. Alternatively, the narrow portions between the undulated axial edges (e.g., the distance 78 between corrugation peaks 74) may be narrower that the narrowest width of the rolled material 69 (see FIG. 4). The shutter door 66 is sized to cover the ring window 64 and the housing window 24. The shutter door 66 is slidably attached to the ring 14 and has an outer surface with surface features 80 to improve grip between an operator's digit and the shutter door 66. The surface features 80 facilitate moving the shutter door 66 between a closed and an open position as will be discussed below.

In an alternative embodiment, the ring 14 extends less than completely around the circumference of the spool 16, and may be referred to as a partial ring 14.

The spool 16 has an axis of rotation 82, and is sized to be rotatably mounted radially inside of the ring 14. The spool 16 preferably has a hub 84 extending between a first rim 86 and a second rim 88. Bandages, tapes, or other rolled material 69 is rolled onto the hub 84 and is maintained between the rims 86, 88. An example of an acceptable spool 16 is that described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,782,786, which is hereby incorporated by reference. Now referring to FIG. 10, the spool 16 in the '786 patent includes a hub 84 disposed between a first rim 86 and a second rim 88. Each rim 86, 88 includes, inter alia, a first radially extending portion 90, a seal portion 92, an axially extending portion 94, and a second radially extending portion 96. The first radially extending portion 90 extends outwardly from the hub 84. The seal portion 92 is arcuately shaped and extends between the first radially extending portion 90 and the axially extending portion 94. The second radially extending portion 96 extends outwardly from the axially extending portion 94. The '786 patent discloses that bandages may be rolled around the hub 84 between the rims 86, 88. The present dispenser 10 may be used with a variety of spools 16 and is not, therefore, limited to use with the spool described in the '786 patent. For example, a spool 16 consisting of a hub portion 84 without rims may be used in some applications.

In the operation of the dispenser, the ring 14 is mounted within the base 28 of the housing 12. The ring window 64 and the window portion 24A of the base 28 are aligned with one another. In this position, the ring 14 is engaged with the guides 32 disposed within the base 28, thereby positioning the ring 14 within the base 28.

An appropriate amount of rolled material 69 such as bandages or tapes are rolled onto the spool 16, leaving a short length 98 of rolled material 69 (i.e., a “leader”) separated from and therefore not attached to the body of rolled material 69. The spool 16 is inserted within the ring 14. There is a slight interference fit between the ribs 62 and one of the rims 86, 88 when the spool 16 is inserted within the ring 14. Once the spool 16 is in the appropriate position relative to the ring 14, the rims 16, 18 are free of the ribs 62. In this position, the ribs 62 help maintain the desired relative positions between the spool 16 and the ring 14. In a preferred embodiment, one of the spool rims 16, 18 is shaped to prevent insertion within the ring 14. Consequently, the spool 16 can only be inserted within the ring in a desired orientation. As the spool 16 is inserted within the ring 14, the leader 98 is drawn through the ring window 64 and the window portion 24A of the base 28. In this position, the spool 16 is engaged with the guides 32 disposed within the base 28, thereby positioning the spool 16 within the base 28.

The cover 30 is attached to the base 28 by the connector couple halves 34A, 34B. The cantilevered members 35 extend across from the base 28 to the cover 30 and the male tabs 37 are received within the apertures 39. In this position, the shutter door 66 is disposed adjacent and above the shutter door shelf 42, and is in the “open” position. In the open position, the windows 24, 64 are aligned and provide access to the internal cavity 26 of the housing 12. The rolled material leader 98 extending through the ring window 64 now also extends through the housing window 24. The offset position of the shutter door shelf 42 enables the shutter door 66 to assume a radial profile that is approximately flush with the housing side panel 22. The guides disposed within the cover 30 position the spool 16 and the ring 14 relative to the cover 30. In this position, the male and female seal couple halves 36A, 36B combine at the rims 44, 50 to create a seal between the male lip 27 and female channel 29.

After the base 28 and the cover 30 are combined, the leader 98 can be drawn through the windows 24, 64 until a perforation is encountered in the rolled material 69. At this point, the rolled material 69 can be drawn at an angle to the windows 24, 64 to create enough stress in the rolled material 69 to cause the material to tear along the perforations. Preferably, however, the rolled material 69 is liberated from the remaining material on the spool 16 by first moving the shutter door 66 over the windows 24, 64. The material 69 can then be pulled upwardly against the edge of the shutter door 66 to cause the rolled material 69 to tear along the perforations.

Although this invention has been shown and described with respect to the detailed embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail thereof may be made without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention. For example, the housing embodiments shown are circular. Alternative embodiments may be shaped other than circular. 

1. A rolled material dispenser, comprising: a housing having a first window and an internal cavity; a ring having a second window; and a spool having a hub on which material may be rolled; wherein the internal cavity of the housing is sized to receive the ring and the spool, and material rolled on the spool is dispensable through the windows.
 2. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the ring further includes a door slidably attached to the ring, which door can be selectively slid to a position where the door covers a portion or all of the first and second windows.
 3. The dispenser of claim 2, wherein the second window includes undulated edges.
 4. The dispenser of claim 3, wherein the second window has a width that is less that a width of the material.
 5. The dispenser of claim 4, wherein the door includes one or more surface features.
 6. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the second window includes undulated edges.
 7. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the housing further comprises a base and a cover.
 8. The dispenser of claim 7, wherein the housing further comprises a seal couple for sealing between the base and the cover.
 9. The dispenser of claim 7, wherein the housing further includes one or more connectors for connecting the base to the cover.
 10. The dispenser of claim 2, wherein the housing includes a shelf disposed in a side panel, at a position that enables the door to be approximately flush with the side panel.
 11. A dispenser for rollable strip materials, comprising: a housing having a first window and an internal cavity; a ring having a second window; and a spool having a hub on which the strip material may be rolled; wherein the internal cavity of the housing is sized to receive the ring and the spool, and the spool is aligned with the windows such that strip material rolled on the spool can be dispensed through the windows.
 12. The dispenser of claim 11, wherein the ring further includes a door slidably attached to the ring, which door can be selectively slid to a position where the door covers a portion or all of the first and second windows.
 13. The dispenser of claim 12, wherein the second window includes undulated edges.
 14. The dispenser of claim 13, wherein the second window has a width that is less that a width of the strip material.
 15. The dispenser of claim 11, wherein the housing further comprises a base and a cover.
 16. The dispenser of claim 15, wherein the housing further comprises a seal couple for sealing between the base and the cover.
 17. The dispenser of claim 15, wherein the housing further includes one or more connectors for connecting the base to the cover.
 18. The dispenser of claim 12, wherein the housing includes a shelf disposed in a side panel, at a position that enables the door to be approximately flush with the side panel.
 19. A rolled material dispenser, comprising: a housing having a first window and an internal cavity; a partial ring having a second window; and a spool having a hub on which material may be rolled; wherein the internal cavity of the housing is sized to receive the partial ring and the spool, and material rolled on the spool is dispensable through the windows.
 20. The dispenser of claim 19, wherein the partial ring further includes a door slidably attached to the partial ring, which door can be selectively slid to a position where the door covers a portion or all of the first and second windows. 